Disapointing problem with PST front end kit

[spamtank]

Last fall I purchased a complete Poly Bushing front end kit from PST and had Russ, my local mopar guy, install it since I didn't have the right sockets or patience for the ball joints.  He had his favorite alignment guy set it up.  Over this winter I noticed something out of sorts with one of the adjusters and determined that the lock washer had deformed.



Took the car back to Russ, and he replaced all the washers.  Three out of 4 were deformed, 1 was missing altogether.  Then, to make matters worse, today I took the car in to a different alignment shop (don't trust they other guys any more).  And this guy had difficulty loosening the nut on one of the adjusters, and found the tie rod adjuster lock washers were also hosed up.  So I called Russ, and he had me take it back down to him, and we removed the questionable adjuster and found that the threads were all boogered up and probably stretched.  We replaced it with freshened up original hardware, and I'll be heading back in for the official alignment in a the next week or so.



Just be forewarned that while the bushing seem to work fine, the hardware leaves much to be desired.

[brads70]

That sucks! Nothing worce than doing it twice.

[HP2]

Those aren't supposed to have lock washers on them at all. If your concerned with thread lock, use blue loctite. Otherwise, I've got to say I've never used any thread locking material on these positions and never had any come loose or fall off.

FWIW, I've seen analysis that actually shows lock washers are a worse item to use than nothing at all for the simple fact that their spring tension can force them to loosen faster than a flat washer.

[spamtank]

Humm, thanks for the input.  The washers were supplied with the kit, so they were used.  I've also read the same thing about lock washers.

In designs I've worked on we normally specify locktite, or a locking feature in the female threads.  I'm not a big fan of lock washers, but I am a big fan of proper torque.  It's partly possible that these were over tightened during the first alignment.

I don't drive the car that hard, so I'm not too concerned.  Just wanted anyone else considering the PST kit to be forewarned.

[74challenger03]

I bought a kit from PST and i didnt get lock washers.The only thing wrong was the steering knuckle and they sent me the right one that week.

[burdar]

The factory used lock washers on the cam bolts.  I was able to reuse 3 of the 4 bolts and all of the nuts, lock washers and cam washers.

[spamtank]

The factory used lock washers on the cam bolts.  I was able to reuse 3 of the 4 bolts and all of the nuts, lock washers and cam washers.

Those look perfectly fine.  I'm now of the opinion that it is better to refresh you old hardware than to use the new stuff that comes from who knows where.

Counterfeit parts are a big problem now days.  It costs a lot of money to enforce compliance.  I suppose I'd be *****en if a bolt cost be $20 each....

[burdar]

Your lock washers looked thinner then my original ones.  The cam bolts could have been over tightened too.  That would mess up the threads.

[spamtank]

Your lock washers looked thinner then my original ones.  The cam bolts could have been over tightened too.  That would mess up the threads.

Those were the lock washers off the tie rod adjuster clamps.  I'll add a photo of the adjuster bolt washers when I find them.  The mating surface of the nut and adjuster cam were pretty chewed up.  I think what happened was that the sharp edge lock washer face cut into the soft metal contact surfaces of the nut and the cam, when the alignment shop attempted the first alignment, as they loosened the nut, the washer dug in and sprung open because it too was soft.  Then we replaced the inferior lock washers with better washers, and that's when the nut and the cam really got boogered up.

I think I'll try to find some old adjuster hardware to have on hand so I can change this all out some time in the future.

[burdar]

The tie rod adjuster clamps didn't use lock washers.  They used a locking nut.  70-72 used a nut with a red nylon pellit in the side. 73-74 used an oblong looking lock nut.   

[spamtank]

The tie rod adjuster clamps didn't use lock washers.  They used a locking nut.  70-72 used a nut with a red nylon pellit in the side. 73-74 used an oblong looking lock nut.

That may be true of the originals.  I think PST cut corners.  Just another reason to keep the original stuff if you can.  Too late for me, I'm sure all those parts went in a trash can (or back in someone's coffee can - I'll have to ask if he still has them).

[Gumby]

Man, your stuff from pst looks like grade 2 hardware compared to burdars pics.

[ChallengerHK]

 

I was thinking the same thing.

[brads70]

Man, your stuff from pst looks like grade 2 hardware compared to burdars pics.

" Wongs" hardware supply.....

[spamtank]

" Wongs" hardware supply.....

I called up the help line and they answered "haroo" 

I did send them an email, but I got nothing back,   yet.